Shided Keniwe, M S; Ali, A H; Abdelaal, M A; Yassin, A M; Kineber, A F; Nosier, I A R; El Monayeri, O D and Elsayad, M A (2025) Introducing a novel decision support system to enhance performance in infrastructure sanitation projects within the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(7), pp. 4581-4610. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This study focused on exploring the performance factors (PFs) that impact Infrastructure Sanitation Projects (ISSPs) in the construction sector. The aim was twofold: firstly, to identify these crucial PFs and secondly, to develop a robust performance model capable of effectively measuring and assessing the intricate interdependencies and correlations within ISSPs. By achieving these objectives, the study aimed to provide valuable insights into and tools for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sanitation projects in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the study's aim, the methodology for identifying the PFs for ISSPs involved several steps: extensive literature review, interviews with Egyptian industry experts, a questionnaire survey targeting industry practitioners and an analysis using the Relative Importance Index (RII), Pareto principle and analytic network process (ANP). The RII ranked factor importance, and Pareto identified the top 20% for ANP, which determined connections and interdependencies among these factors. Findings: The literature review identified 36 PFs, and an additional 13 were uncovered during interviews. The highest-ranked PF is PF5, while PF19 is the lowest-ranked. Pareto principle selected 11 PFs, representing the top 20% of factors. The ANP model produced an application for measuring ISSP effectiveness, validated through two case studies. Application results were 92.25% and 91.48%, compared to actual results of 95.77% and 97.37%, indicating its effectiveness and accuracy, respectively. Originality/value: This study addresses a significant knowledge gap by identifying the critical PFs that influence ISSPs within the construction industry. Subsequently, it constructs a novel performance model, resulting in the development of a practical computer application aimed at measuring and evaluating the performance of these projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | analytic network process; infrastructure projects; performance factors; performance management; project performance; sanitation projects |
| Index terms: | construction sector, sanitation, questionnaire, practitioner, methodology, survey, accuracy, literature review, relative importance index, decision support, interview, analytic network process, infrastructure project, construction industry, project performance, effectiveness, computer application, case study, efficiency, performance management |
| Subjects: | environmental health, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, decision analysis, professional development, project management theory and practice, software systems, performance management, performance measurement, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, risk assessment, decision-making and optimization, research methods, practitioner |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Sustainability, Risk Management, Quality Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here